Don't Know Where to Start? The 6 Best Types of Exercise for Newbies

Everyone has to start somewhere, right? If it's your first time taking your exercise program seriously, it can be tough to know where to begin.

Most of the fitness programs you find will be targeted towards people that already have a good deal of experience under their belt, or those that are in great shape. Programs like CrossFit are incredibly difficult for newbies, and may even lead to serious injuries. Even simple bodybuilding can be dangerous if done incorrectly.

So, if you're confused as to where to start, check out these six beginner exercise routines.

1. Dancing

You may start with two left feet, but you'll learn the dance steps quickly. As you make progress, you'll find the dancing gets more challenging--both in terms of complex movements and your fitness. If you've never done a workout in your life, start out easy by starting out with dancing.

2. Jogging/Walking

Anyone can start walking or jogging slowly and work their way up to running. It's low-impact, and it's easy to get used to the slow pace no matter how out of shape you are. As long as you start out slowly, you'll find that you are nearly 100 percent safe from injuries. You may be a bit achy in the back and legs for a few weeks, but that will go away once your body gets used to pounding the pavement.

3. Strength Training

Lifting weights is recommended for every man or woman that wants to get in shape, regardless of how new they are to the world of fitness. Even if you've never stepped foot into a gym before, you'll do fine if you're willing to learn. You will want to work with a fitness trainer for the first month or two, as that will help you to learn the proper form and program. You can also find a lot of information online, as well as videos that teach you exactly how to do the various exercises.

4. Swimming

Swimming is incredible for a cardio workout, but you won't have to worry about injuries because it's a low-impact exercise that anyone can do. You can start at your own pace, swim as hard as you want, and choose the stroke that suits you best. It's a total body workout that is excellent for getting your body accustomed to hard work.

5. Martial Arts

One of the great things about martial arts is that they are good for anyone, and you work your way from white belt up to black belt. Your teacher will take you at your own pace, and you'll find that you can progress as slowly or as quickly as you want.

6. Boot Camps

Want to kick your fitness into high gear in a weekend or two? Boot-camp-style workouts are designed with newbies in mind, and the trainers will help you to push yourself as hard as you can. You'll find that these workouts are exhausting, and you'll feel like dying while you're crawling through mud, sprinting up hills or rolling massive tires. By the time you come out the other side, however, you'll be well on your way to fitness! It's a jump-start that can help you make the transition to regular exercise.

For newbies to the world of fitness, here are a few programs to stay away from:

HIIT

P90X

CrossFit

Olympic Bodybuilding

They're going to be hard on your body, and can lead to serious injuries. As a beginner, you want to work your way up to the tough stuff!

Some people get lucky and are born with fit, toned bodies. Andy Peloquin is
not one of those people... Fitness has come hard for him, and he's had
to work for it. His trials have led him to becoming a martial artist, an
NFPT-certified fitness trainer, and a man passionate about exercise,
diet and healthy living. He loves to exercise--he does so six days a
week--and loves to share his passion for fitness and health with others.